Erosion along the Holderness Coast

William Gilbert Carson

Abstract

Coastal erosion is the process of wearing away material from a coastal profile due to imbalance in the supply and export of material from a certain section along the shore. It takes place in the form of scouring in the foot of the cliffs or dunes or at the sub-tidal foreshore as a result of high waves, high tides and storm surge conditions, and results in coastline retreat along with loss of land due to sediment relocation. This can be a cause of concern for coastal communities, or the coast of an entire nation.

In response to the problem engineers within the field of coastal management have developed various methods that aim to reduce erosion and maintain, restore, or improve specified qualities of coastal ecosystems. Managers and decision makers have been challenged to balance the trade-offs between protection of property and potential loss of landscapes, public access, recreational opportunities, and natural features. England has faced particular challenges within the realm of coastal erosion, the Holderness coastline in particular has borne the brunt of the effects.

This paper will cover the challenges faced along the Holderness Coastline within the field of coastal management and focus on the traditional and emerging techniques used to control erosion while taking into costs, benefits, and environmental impacts of each alternative.